GOP: U.S. can’t afford to fund health ‘entitlement program’ for 9/11 rescue workers

Michael Mcauliff
NY Daily News
May 27, 2010

WASHINGTON – Republicans argued Tuesday that it would put the nation’s finances at risk if Congress gave aiing Sept. 11 responders a permanent, guaranteed program to ensure they get health care.

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Calling the Sept. 11 Health and Compensation Act a new “entitlement program” like Medicare, GOP members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee argued the nation already has too much that it must pay for. They said obligating the feds for lifetime care of tens of thousands of 9/11 responders was too much of a burden.

“By making this a new mandatory program, you jeopardize the financial health of the United States of America,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.).
And they argued that the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, were already being cared for, noting the $150 million the Obama recently requested for this year.

And they argued that the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, were already being cared for, noting the $150 million the Obama recently requested for this year.

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This article was posted: Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 2:30 pm

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